Oblong Lake Fishing near Oblong, Illinois

• Overview

  Oblong Lake is a Crawford County water, Illinois side. Elevation runs to 505 feet. At roughly 5 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. On size it sits at the modest end of our Crawford County list. The closest town, Oblong, is 0.4 miles away. It is 73 miles to Evansville, the nearest city. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Oblong Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Crawford County include bluegill, johnny darter, green sunfish, longear sunfish and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Anyone new to Oblong Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 77°F; the cold one sits at 27°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Anyone fishing Oblong Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Circle Pond, 8.8 miles away. Check the position at Oblong Lake before loading the car.